The longest serving Lottery Director in Idaho history has announced his retirement after 17 ½ years of service. Since 2007, under Anderson’s leadership, the Idaho Lottery has returned $938 million to support public education and permanent facilities.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
CONTACT: David Workman
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208-334-2600
Idaho Lottery and State Liquor Division Director Jeff Anderson Set to Retire
BOISE, Idaho – The longest serving Lottery Director in Idaho history has announced his retirement after 17 ½ years of service to the people of the Gem State. Jeff Anderson, the State of Idaho’s Director for both the Idaho Lottery and the Idaho State Liquor Division will retire on July 26, 2024, one week after the Idaho Lottery commemorates its 35th Anniversary.
“I have had the honor and privilege to be given the trust and stewardship of two outstanding Idaho agencies from two exceptional Governors,” said Anderson. “Both agencies require leadership that’s in alignment with the sensibility of Idaho’s citizens. I am proud that we have always earned the public’s trust with high integrity while responsibly delivering nearly $2.2 billion in financial benefits for the people of Idaho.”
Anderson was appointed Director of the Idaho Lottery in January 2007 by Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter. In April 2010, Governor Otter appointed him as Liquor Division Director. In January of 2019, Governor Little appointed Anderson to serve the citizens in the same two roles.
Since 2007, under Anderson’s leadership, the Idaho Lottery has returned $938 million to support public education and permanent facilities. This includes responsibly setting new dividend records fourteen times. In 2014, the Idaho Lottery was recognized by lottery industry associations, Public Gaming Research Institute and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, as the highest performing jurisdiction in the United States.
In April 2010, Governor Otter temporarily appointed Anderson to be Director of the Idaho State Liquor Division. This “temporary” assignment is one Anderson has held for over fourteen years. During that time, the Liquor Division has delivered record transfers thirteen times, $1.2 billion in total, for use by the State, counties, and cities across Idaho.
“I have been fortunate to work with two remarkable teams. The success of the Idaho Lottery and the Liquor Division are a result of the determined efforts of the fine, hard-working, dedicated team members at both agencies,” added Anderson. “In the future, I look forward to more time with my children and their families, all of whom live in and around the capital city.”
During his tenure, Anderson represented Idaho nationally, serving as President of the Multi-State Lottery Association Board of Directors, the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries Board of Directors, and Chairman of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) Board of Directors. Anderson has served as the Idaho Lottery’s Director for half of its operational existence. He is one of the longest tenured United States Lottery directors and the longest serving NABCA director.
Anderson came to state service after twenty-eight years in broadcasting. His last ten years were as Vice President and General Manager of CBS television affiliates KBOI (Boise) and KIDK (Idaho Falls).
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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $5.4 billion in products, awarded more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players, returned $317 million in retail commissions, and distributed $1.189 billion in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.
ABOUT THE IDAHO STATE LIQUOR DIVISION
The Liquor Division was established in 1933 following the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, which repealed the 18th Amendment known as Prohibition. The mission of the Idaho State Liquor Division is to provide control over the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of distilled spirits; curtail intemperate use of beverage alcohol; and responsibly optimize the net revenues to the citizens of Idaho. The Division responsibly serves retail consumers and the hospitality industry of Idaho. Net revenues benefit the cities, counties, substance abuse and treatment, and the general fund of the State of Idaho. To learn more, please visit www.liquor.idaho.gov.